Ed and Melissa Loniewski Medically Underserved Scholarship

Due to the great generosity of Ed Loniewski, DO and his wife, Melissa, it is possible for students to receive up to $1500 while doing an elective rotation in a medically underserved location. Rotation sites are selected by the student and approved by the student's Office of Clinical Education. Students may be able to find, but are not limited to choosing, health professional shortage area sites by searching the following website: http://www.hrsa.gov/index.html. The completion of this rotation must be during the student's 3rd or 4th year of study only and in the academic year of the initial application.

A student who wishes to apply must complete and submit an application form, verification form and curriculum vitae. Recipients will be selected at the discretion of the SOMA Foundation Board of Directors. Any questions should be brought to the Foundation Director of Scholarships and Grants at scholarships-grants@studentdo.org. Included in this year's scholarship is a mentorship component. Recipients are encouraged to identify and mentor one student at their perspective COM on the logistics of finding and setting up an underserved elective.

Requirements for consideration:- Student Osteopathic Medical Association active membership.- Completing the 3rd or 4th year of training.- Demonstrate, through extracurricular activities and/or community service, an interest in practicing medicine in an underserved area.- Identify and mentor one student at their perspective COM on the "how-to" to finding and setting up an underserved elective.- Verification Form, signed and stamped by the school registrar, or similar, affirming that the rotation is an approved elective.- The externship must be completed in an underserved area, whether in the United States or abroad.- The externship must be at least three weeks in length, can be completed with a D.O. or M.D. and can be in any area of medicine, including primary health care as well as specialties and sub-specialties.- Once chosen for the scholarship, the training site may not be changed without verbal and/or written consent of the Public Health Director.- The externship may not be used to fulfill criteria for any other scholarship or stipend.

A few words from Student Doctor Singh on receiving the Ed and Melissa Loniewski Medically Underserved Scholarship...

"Receiving the Edward and Melissa Loniewski Scholarship for the Medically Underserved is an honor that I will hold high. With support from Dr. and Mrs. Loniewski I will be able to provide care in El Salvador this April during a month long international rotation. I will receive training and techniques that I can take with me as I further my career. After residency I plan to partake in mission work in underserved areas throughout the globe. I have a strong belief that success is not an individual battle, but rather based off how you impact the world and affect those around you. I strive to find the good in my surroundings and provide help where I am needed. I will continue to take these ideals with me as I follow my path in practicing medicine." - Elizabeth Singh OMS III